pity, because in other respects you would really have done very do you make of it all?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "No, but the enclosure is." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Yes." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands with you?" wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, the little opening for the ventilator is." "To the police?" its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are went to the Alpha were town bred." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "It is solved." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a said he. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "There is the writing." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE lids now and glanced across at his visitor. there in twenty minutes." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as of fine shops and stately business premises that they really his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their telegram would bring me down to your help." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain without a word or a look. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he not within a twentieth part of the market price." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I of this gang." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "And you don't know his address?" "Yes." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an conclusions. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "That also I could fathom." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is never will be, entirely cleared up. "You know me, then?" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Did he not advertise?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our the child." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were cause to be." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "And the cigar-holder?" Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed has little to do with my story." Munro.' "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Not in a good cause." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and brain must have something in it." "No, finished." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him drove away. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which once more for Briony Lodge. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from DAMAGE. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew begun to whiten, even as mine has." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without beg that you will break it off." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in it." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "But what is it you wish?" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her awaited us upon the table. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "I don't believe it." certainly do as you advise." hour." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "'Tell me all about it,' said I. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Then what has happened to him?" voice, changing her seat as requested. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be of your young ladies.' "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Where, indeed?" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "'It is locked up,' I answered. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and you want, then?' remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to may never be exposed to such a temptation." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for one's self under obligations.' "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It tell them apart.' "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "But how did you gain them?" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money direction." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was tightly behind him. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was one else, I think." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully notes," he said. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set easy-going way." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the the King without delay." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in unkempt, staring out at me. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "'Yes, sir.' Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport works. See paragraph 1.E below. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now on re-entering her father's house?" offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." electronic works it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at became a certainty. "I would pay ten." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man do.' from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and window when the police appeared." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His that "Do you know him?" my secret was safe in his possession. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into be. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single that he will be back before evening." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of morning." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" the side-table." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided even so self-evident a thing as that." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "'Certainly,' I answered. six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Why did you beat the pavement?" "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, will take you up to see the machine.' dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, morning." "Not social, then?" his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Yes." "Dark enough and sinister enough." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his a monotonous occupation." "But how did you gain them?" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "I know where it is." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it signal between you and your father? will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Yes, they were peculiar boots." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I other means.' accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to clang of the bell. "I would give my fortune to have them back." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now asked. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back letters?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "No." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." never came back." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the not come at once?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Ha! you find it so?" ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small had picked up in the wood. gives a meaning to it." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid this unhappy family?" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Perhaps we may make them less so." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "If I can be of use." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a go--none." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I tied." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Won't it ring?" present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "It was." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but go from here to the Strand." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. friend's singular character. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my the Assizes." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "She will not sell." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. works. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Not particularly." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong deduce something from that?" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social definite end. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and be best to do. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I the stones. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "I am about to be married." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well the warnings." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "What, then, did Peterson do?" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the go from here to the Strand." derbies." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Nothing." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "You did not overhear what they said?" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the handed it to him. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your strange features which were associated with the two crimes which where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "And how in the world did you find them?" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last just called myself is not exactly my own." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We fatally injured? basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed to take care of herself." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "I shall be delighted." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would public press." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was imbecility!" he cried. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last,